Commercial Open-Source; An Oxymoron?

By Nithya Ruff

The dictionary describes Oxymorons as “literary figures of speech usually composed of a pair of neighboring contradictory words (often within a sentence) or a combination of contradictory or incongruous words”.

Perhaps some view commercialization of open source as contradictory. Where does it say that paying for good value is wrong or having a strong and commercially viable entity support the use and practice of open source is bad. Exactly, almost like motherhood and apple pie. Open Source, like art has long had a history of benefactors, sponsors and champions. Companies who gave back because they use open source. Companies who champion open source maintainers by having them on the payroll and giving them the freedom to do what they do best. Companies and commercial entities find many ways of giving back.

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